| 100% | CONUNDRUM | 9 | A riddle or problem that's difficult to solve |
| 49% | COOPERATE | 9 | Work together to solve a problem or puzzle |
| 47% | MARIA | 5 | She's a problem that needs to be solved, in song |
| 42% | STEEP | 5 | Like a mountain that's difficult to ascend |
| 42% | STAINING | 8 | Leaving a mark that's difficult to remove |
| 42% | HEAVY | 5 | Like a bag that's difficult to lift |
| 41% | LICE | 4 | Problems that come to a head? |
| 41% | IDEA | 4 | Notion to solve a problem |
| 40% | SPLITENDS | 9 | Hairy problem? ... or a hint to this puzzle's theme |
| 40% | BRUTEFORCE | 10 | Inelegant way to solve a problem |
| 40% | TRIALANDERROR | 13 | Experimental approach to solving a problem |
| 39% | ATSCALE | 7 | In the required size to solve a problem |
| 39% | SPIN | 4 | Decide not to solve or buy a vowel |
| 38% | DEUS | 4 | __ ex machina, use to solve a story problem easily |
| 38% | SOLUTIONS | 9 | Answers to problems or riddles |
| 38% | WINWINSITUATION | 15 | Scenario that works out for everyone... or a hint to this puzzle's theme |
| 38% | THECASCADES | 11 | Range that's home to 18-Across, and a hint to solving this puzzle |
| 37% | TIE | 3 | Outcome that's an alternative to a win or a loss |
| 37% | UNRAVEL | 7 | Solve or get to the bottom of a mystery |
| 37% | LINK | 4 | Missing ___ (something that's needed to resolve a problem) |
| 37% | GUIDANCE | 8 | Advice given to help solve a problem |
| 37% | SPEED | 5 | *Runner's stat ... or a word that goes with "trap" to refer to a radar trap |
| 37% | ELM | 3 | Wood that's difficult to split |
| 37% | STRUGGLEBUS | 11 | Transportation that's difficult to ride? |
| 37% | URGE | 4 | Desire that's difficult to ignore |
| 37% | URGE | 4 | Impulse that's difficult to resist |
| 37% | GROSS | 5 | "That's repulsive!" ... or a hint to this puzzle's theme |
| 37% | LEADS | 5 | Clues that detectives follow to solve a mystery |
| 37% | ICE | 3 | Surface that's difficult to stop on |
| 37% | YOUDONTSAY | 10 | "Is that so?," or a hint to the communication methods found in this puzzle's circled letters |